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John 2:1-11

July 21, 2013 The story of Jesus turning the water into wine has always been a little bit strange to me. The dialogue between Jesus and Mary is difficult, it seems odd that Jesus would turn water into wine, and this just isnt that impressive as far as His miracles go. Why would this be His first one recorded in John, why does John even bother to tell us about it at all, and why are there so many details? Ive had some time to look it over this week, and while I dont have every answer, I do think it makes more sense. Its important to remember that John writes to prove that Jesus is the anointed One of God. He is Gods Son and the Word at the same time. Its also important to remember that He came unto His own, and His own received Him not (1:11) and even when He was standing with them they didnt know Him (1:26). He did, however, convince a few chosen followers to come after Him, and its at this point that our story begins: And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: 2And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. 3And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. 4Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. This is part of that confusing dialogue. Why is she worried about the wine? Why does she think Jesus can solve the problem? Why does He give her such a strange answer? The answer, I think, lies in keeping this within view of the main context. Mary knew who He was (Lk. 1:31-32; 2:14-19); she was like the other Jews who waited for the Messiah to come and take over Davids throne. And now shes done with the waiting and she wants Him to act. But look at His response to her: Woman, what have I to do with thee? It does come across a little condescending in English, but lets not forget Johns main goal: who is this man? Hes not the Son of Mary; Hes the Son of God. When the woman tries to impose her will upon God, God reminds her that she is only a woman. She may be blessed among other women, but she is still just a woman. What have I to do with thee? Literally He says, (Ti emoi kai soi) or What to me and to you? Theres a similar statement used in Matthew 8:29 when Jesus confronts the demons. They ask Him What have we to do with thee; or (Ti emin kai soi) What to us and to you? They may as well be saying, What business do we have? Or, as I think Jesus means with Mary, What do we have in common?

Mary is ready now to reveal His purpose and glory, but Jesus refuses telling her My hour is not yet come. That hour will come when Jesus prays Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee in John 17:1, but its not here yet. Dont get confused because He goes ahead with the miracle; apparently shes ready for Him to show the world Hes the King of Israel, but right now Hes focused on showing His disciples His glory (:11). Apparently Mary understands enough to let it be and she backs off to let Him handle it:
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His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. You know that the Jews washed habitually from tradition (Mk. 7:3), and heres these six waterpots set out in a convenient place. Now, there are plenty of commentators who try to find the meaning of six pots and why theyre made of stone, and why theyre empty and all, but it feels a little subjective to me. Maybe this is an illustration of Jesus talking the empty vessel of stone and filling it with the wine of joy and maybe its not. At the least, its not Johns main point:
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Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. 8And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. The governor is the head-waiter. I suppose hes like the wedding planners of our day and this puts him in charge of the wedding.
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When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, 10And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now. Well, I guess wed better address it here since some are undoubtedly wondering: the Greek word for wine means fermented wine 1 and men have well drunk is just one Greek word. It simply means to have been filled or intoxicated or drunk. 2 Compare the following:
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http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/morph?l=oinon&la=greek#lexicon http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/morph?l=mequsqwsin&la=greek#lexicon

John 2:10 set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk (oinon) (methusthosin)

Ephesians 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess (methuskesthe) (oino)

Look these words up in a Greek concordance and youll find that they share the same root words and mean the same thing. Ive heard probably every argument trying to make Jesus a teetotaler (including one that says they were all spitting it out after every drink!), but none of them add up to the plain words. This is real wine for real Jews at a real wedding. But its sad that were so easily distracted by modern forms of legalism. I seriously doubt John ever bogged down in these arguments, and undoubtedly understood the main point:
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This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him. The Greek word for miracles means a mark or an omen. 3 This is the first recorded miracle in John. It was the first mark of His divinity, and it demonstrated His glory. The men who followed already believed He was the Messiah, and now they see His glory for themselves. The result is wonderful: they believed on Him. They trusted in Him and decided to stay with Him wherever He went! Lets close with a few thoughts: #1- God works on His own schedule. #2- God works through the processes of time and order. #3- God is sovereign over nature. #4- Gods purpose in working is to demonstrate His glory. #5- The result of His work is belief in His people. newgracebaptistchurch.wordpress.com

http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/morph?l=shmeiwn&la=greek#lexicon

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